Pharmacists’ role in harm reduction highlighted by FIP at World Health Assembly

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Pharmacists have been at the forefront of a number of services to reduce drug-related harm, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) told the 70th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday.

Examples highlighted by FIP included needle exchange programmes, opioid substitution therapy, promotion of responsible use of medicines with high risk of addiction, and educational campaigns in Portugal, France and the USA. Ministers were told that FIP is currently preparing a report on the contribution of pharmacists in harm reduction strategies, due to be published later in the year.

FIP has requested that pharmacists’ perspectives and experiences are included in the World Health Organization mechanism for surveillance of psychoactive substances.

This statement was among five that FIP made at WHA70. They can be accessed below: